to the country. Communist was still a dirty word in the U.S., and he expected to find a people downtrodden and impoverished when he arrived. What he didn't know was how far the Decentralization Pact had allowed China to advance from its old days. People spoke freely, not afraid of the consequences of speaking ill of a government official. The city had been made rich from the production of robotic components, key to so many facets of daily life here. Cameras still watched the populace for signs of unrest, and the police retained their reputation for swift and brutal action. But for the most part, the people no longer felt the weight of the government on their shoulders, nor did they fear the watchful eye.
He continued to watch the densely-packed streets below as the sun rose. As always, he exercised, not just for the strength-building, but to continue to improve coordination. His new prosthetics were built with elastics that imitated human muscles, and also grew stronger with use. This provided him with more fine motor control, as opposed to the hydraulically-powered limbs that he was equipped with after the first operation, which were often less than delicate.
"Breathe deep. Focus on a faraway point as you work," Charley reminded himself as he performed a squat, focusing on a tall tower. The sun was gleaming off its windows, turning the black pearlescent tinting to a purple color. He could see it move a few millimeters as it swayed in a quick burst of wind.
"Keep the concentration," He said to himself as he transitioned to a planking position. The plush carpet on his apartment floor was soft and clean, almost comfortable enough to fall asleep on. He could smell the scent of the air freshening spray, a clean hint of a grassy meadow.
"Now for something more difficult," Charley said, standing on his hands. He closed his eyes and focused with all his might to use a different sense.
The radio transmissions are mostly quiet today. Must be a peaceful morning out on the streets. Except for that woman, she's late for work. Focus a little less, don't invade privacy.
Charley opened his eyes and lifted his right arm, supporting all his weight with the prosthetic arm. He tensed up his remaining human muscles, straining to support the weight of 150 pounds of robotic implements. 30 seconds went by, and he struggled to focus through the pain. Determined to beat his record of 55 seconds, he grunted and flexed, powering through. His focus was completely lost as the door opened, and he fell to the ground, out of breath and staring at the ceiling.
"Having fun?" Ling asked, standing over him.
"57 seconds. My best yet!" Charley said enthusiastically, still lying on the ground.
"As your doctor, it's not encouraging to come in and find you in a pile on the floor," Ling said, laughing.
"As long as you've known me, would you expect any different?" Charley said with a smile.
"The fact that I know you so well has me thinking that maybe you need a new doctor!" Ling added, heading to Charley's refrigerator to grab a water.
"Well then, why don't you quit?" Charley continued the banter as he rose to his feet.
"For one, I wouldn't get to poke you with a needle every time you decide to be a mule," Ling joked.
"A mule? Come on, I'm at least a pony, maybe a horse."
"No, no, a mule. Ugly and stubborn."
"Touché, Ling," Charley replied, laughing to himself as he looked out the balcony's sliding glass door. The city really was peaceful from this distance, when he took in everything. The AC had spared no expense in obtaining a beautiful place to stay. The place lit up like a carnival at night, and in the morning, he could feel the cool breeze flowing in from the Pacific Ocean.
Ling brushed her hand across his back and moved to hold his right arm as she took in the view, as well. She laid her head on his arm, breathing the cool ocean air, letting it invigorate her. They had grown quite fond of each other during his
He continued to watch the densely-packed streets below as the sun rose. As always, he exercised, not just for the strength-building, but to continue to improve coordination. His new prosthetics were built with elastics that imitated human muscles, and also grew stronger with use. This provided him with more fine motor control, as opposed to the hydraulically-powered limbs that he was equipped with after the first operation, which were often less than delicate.
"Breathe deep. Focus on a faraway point as you work," Charley reminded himself as he performed a squat, focusing on a tall tower. The sun was gleaming off its windows, turning the black pearlescent tinting to a purple color. He could see it move a few millimeters as it swayed in a quick burst of wind.
"Keep the concentration," He said to himself as he transitioned to a planking position. The plush carpet on his apartment floor was soft and clean, almost comfortable enough to fall asleep on. He could smell the scent of the air freshening spray, a clean hint of a grassy meadow.
"Now for something more difficult," Charley said, standing on his hands. He closed his eyes and focused with all his might to use a different sense.
The radio transmissions are mostly quiet today. Must be a peaceful morning out on the streets. Except for that woman, she's late for work. Focus a little less, don't invade privacy.
Charley opened his eyes and lifted his right arm, supporting all his weight with the prosthetic arm. He tensed up his remaining human muscles, straining to support the weight of 150 pounds of robotic implements. 30 seconds went by, and he struggled to focus through the pain. Determined to beat his record of 55 seconds, he grunted and flexed, powering through. His focus was completely lost as the door opened, and he fell to the ground, out of breath and staring at the ceiling.
"Having fun?" Ling asked, standing over him.
"57 seconds. My best yet!" Charley said enthusiastically, still lying on the ground.
"As your doctor, it's not encouraging to come in and find you in a pile on the floor," Ling said, laughing.
"As long as you've known me, would you expect any different?" Charley said with a smile.
"The fact that I know you so well has me thinking that maybe you need a new doctor!" Ling added, heading to Charley's refrigerator to grab a water.
"Well then, why don't you quit?" Charley continued the banter as he rose to his feet.
"For one, I wouldn't get to poke you with a needle every time you decide to be a mule," Ling joked.
"A mule? Come on, I'm at least a pony, maybe a horse."
"No, no, a mule. Ugly and stubborn."
"Touché, Ling," Charley replied, laughing to himself as he looked out the balcony's sliding glass door. The city really was peaceful from this distance, when he took in everything. The AC had spared no expense in obtaining a beautiful place to stay. The place lit up like a carnival at night, and in the morning, he could feel the cool breeze flowing in from the Pacific Ocean.
Ling brushed her hand across his back and moved to hold his right arm as she took in the view, as well. She laid her head on his arm, breathing the cool ocean air, letting it invigorate her. They had grown quite fond of each other during his
Similar Books
